Kansas City no longer a slam dunk for Big 12 basketball tournament The Big 12 Conference has long relied on Kansas City’s T-Mobile Arena for its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, a decision that has now come under scrutiny. Commissioner Brett Yormark extended the contract for the event through 2031 last year, but the arrangement is increasingly seen as outdated given the conference’s expanded geographic reach. The Big 12, once a Midwest-centric league, now spans nearly 2,000 miles from east to west, making Kansas City an impractical hub for fans in Arizona, Utah, and other western states. The decision to keep the tournament in Kansas City has drawn criticism for its limited appeal. While the venue works for schools like Kansas, Iowa State, and Kansas State, it poses significant travel challenges for fans in Colorado, Arizona, and Utah. For example, a trip from Colorado’s campus to Kansas City is over 600 miles, and mid-March Kansas City is not a typical destination for most Big 12 fans. The article highlights the need for a more geographically diverse rotation to accommodate the league’s growing footprint. Comparisons to the Pac-12’s approach to its tournament provide a blueprint for change. Former Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott moved the event from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in 2013, transforming it into a major destination for fans. The shift allowed for broader regional access and created a more engaging experience for attendees. Similarly, the Big 12 could adopt a rotating schedule to ensure accessibility for all member schools. Proposed locations for future tournaments include Las Vegas, Oklahoma City, Denver, Dallas, and Salt Lake City. This rotation would provide fans in different regions with more affordable and convenient options to attend the event.#t_mobile_arena #las_vegas #big_12_conference #brett_yormark #pac_12
